30. South Africa Flashcards
1
Q
Describe SA’s climate
A
Climate
- 33 – 35 deg lat south – warm Mediterranean (with infl of ocean, mountains, slopes, aspects
- Cold Benguela current from Antartic to west coast
- produces cold ocean air -blows in to the W Cape
- Cools sea at C Agulhas, cold ocean, hot land >> (fog, cool breezes)
- Magnified by the Cape Doctor (strong SE wind) >
- dry thus red disease
- however it brings rain, can damage leaves, affect Photosynth, ripeness, affect fl & fr set >reducing yields
- Spring frost – sometimes / lack of dormancy sometimes
- Mod rain most in winter, prone to drought especially in the north, irrigation essential but water sources under pressure, many vineyards (Swartland) dry farm.
- Another defining feature : the prominent mountain ranges running throughout the wine regions
- Provide different aspects, altitudes and soils for vine growing
- As a result – SA has a multitude of different site climates
- Vineyard climate on valley floor much warmer than on mountain slope
- Vines may be planted on Sfacing aspect to benefit from cooler temps
- Mountains cast shadows that also cool vineyards
- Nearer the coast mountains channel the wind
2
Q
Describe the GI systen in SA
A
Wine Law
- GI system is the Wine of Origin Scheme (W.O.) > certification with traceability
- Wines stating Wine of Origin (W.O.) on the label will carry a Certification Seal with unique number on every bottle > assures wine quality, origin, variety vintage.
- If WO Swartland on label 100% fruit from Swartland
- If vintage 85% rule, if varietal 85%rule
The law recognises 4 different sizes of prod area
- Geographical unit (allows for multiple regional and district blends) e.g W Capes
- Regions (large area, named for sign feature – Breede River Valley
- District similar approach as Region – wider categories
- Wards – common soil, eco system,
- Some Districts have no Wards, some Wards have no District – it is not hierarchical
- Estate Wines
- mb grown, bottled on that estate
- Law allows top producers to release Estate Wines but at the same time other WO wines under their brand name
- Vineyard on label
- VY mb registered, planted with single var, not larger than 6ha
3
Q
Describe Pinotage
A
- Pinot Noir x Cinsault (SA dev)
- Significant plantings, small berries, reach high sugar levels
- early bud, mod susc to fungal dis. deep colour needs only short alc mac for deep col (3 -5 days)
- Range of styles
- Light fruity style, Red berry flavours
- Cape Blend with int varieties
- Some from old vine > Full-bodied,Rich, spiced, berry fruit
- When fermented or stored with heavily toasted oak staves, Pinotage takes on intense coffee/chocolate aromas
4
Q
SA makes hivol, inexp and hiQ wines.
Explain how these WM techniques (Pinotage) differ
A
Hi Vol Inexp
- High yield fruit, spray against fung disease, minimal sort
- 100% Pinotage or blend
- no preF maceration
- Warm Ferm for extraction
- Punch over, pump down - only at start - risk of overextraction
- no postF maceration
- Maturation
- SS tanks or used barrels, oak staves/chips for oak flavours
- Released 6-12 m after vintage
Premium Q
- Low yield fruit, old, dryland vines, little botrytis if desired, careful sort
- 100% Pinotage
- Cold soak – for colour
- Warm Ferm for extraction
- Pump over punch down (beginning only – less tannin)
- Two styles either tannic full body traditional, or lighter elegant
- 3-5 days post ferm maceration for tradition, zero for elegant lighter,
- Maturation
- Extended ageing 12-15m Fr barriques, 50%+ new (trend is changing to less – time and cost means a saving)
- Released 2 yrs after vintage
5
Q
Describe the style of typ SA CB
A
m/pron int ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical notes,
hi acid, m alc, m body, vanilla / toast from oak
De Morgenzon, Ken Forrester
6
Q
SA makes hivol, inexp and hiQ wines. Explain diff WM techniques (CB)
A
Hi Vol Inexp
- High yield fruit, spray against fung disease, minimal sort
- Up to 15% Colombard blend
- Acidification , no malo (retain acidity, cultured yeast
- Cool ferm – no banana, SS, retain prim fr
- Rest SS few mnths, oak chips, staves
- Adjust using RCGM (to 5g+/l) dep on market
- Stabilise, fine, filter, early release
- Tpt bulk, bottled in final market
- M flavours, oak will be less rich, less integ.
Premium Q
- Low yield fruit, old, dryland vines, small botrytis if desired, carefulsort
- 100% Chenin
- Acidification avoided – no malo to pres acidity, am/cult yeast per prod
- Cool temp ferm, inert vessel, (also large, old oak/amphora)
- Lees 3 – 9 m if ferm in SS or conc. If amphora/eggs/oak – lees for 10 – 12 m for fruit oak integration
- No adjustment wines typ dry 1.6 – 6 g/l
- Wines stabilised, light fine, filter as reqd
- Bottled in SA, tpt to final market
- m/pron int ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical notes,
- hi acid, m alc, m body, vanilla / toast from oak
- De Morgenzon, Ken Forrester
7
Q
List the regions, district and wards in Western Cape
A
COASTAL REGION
- Ds Cape Town, Ward Constantia, Ward Durbanville
- Ds Stellenbosch, Wd Simonsberg-Stellenbosch,
- Ds Paarl, Wd Simonsberg-Paarl
- Ds Franschoek Valley / Ds Darling / Ds Swartland / Ds Tulbagh / Ds Wellington
BREEDE RIVER VALLEY REGION
Ds Breedekloof / Ds Worcester / Ds Robertson
OLIFANTS RIVER REGION
CAPE SOUTH COAST REGION
Ds Walker Bay; Wd Hemel-en-Aarde; Wd Bot River
Ds Elgin
KLEIN KAROO REGION
8
Q
Describe - climate, soil, var District Capetown and Wards
A
- District Cape Town
-
Ward Constantia - E-F Constantiaberg, granite, sandstone
- 10km from False Bay – sea breezes
- Granite soil on sandstone – drain/retain, adequate rain
- SB, CH, CS, Shiraz ( too windy for PN)
- Steenberg; Klein Constantia
-
Ward Durbanville E-F Tygerberg, Shale
- Shale (retains), Tygerberg hills E-F
- 100-300m
- Tyger > rain shadow > most dry farming
- Bloemendal; Diemersdal
9
Q
Describe Ds Stellenbosch
A
- District Stellenbosch leading SA wine Reg
- Qual from slopes, gran/shale soils, cool breeze False Bay
- Mod rain in winter retained on slopes, sandy plains dry warm - irrig
- slopes of Simonsberg, Bottlery Hill, Stell Mntn
- WArm spots - top class reds CS, Mer, Bord Blend, Syr, Cape Blend
- Cool spots – SB, CH
- Picking time and yield nb in det final wine style. (lighter/fresh, lower alc or; fuller bodied)
- Rust & Vrede; Raats
- other: university / high reputation / historical v/
10
Q
Describe Ds Paarl and Ds Franschoek Valley
A
Ds Paarl
- Warm
- Mesoclimates, aspects make several var successful.
- Adeq rain, river for irrig.
- Wines are riper and fuller-bodied
- CB; CS, Syr, Pinotage & on warmest - Mourvedre; Viognier
- Vilafonte … Nederburg
Ds Franschoek Valley
- 3-sides mnts > warm, protected
- planted 300 – 600m - diurnal range
- Adeq rain, but soils fast drain – irrig reqd
- SB, CS, Shir most grown.
- Some old vine Semiillon (100yrs+)
- Boekenhoutskloof“Chocolate Block”
11
Q
Describe Ds Darling
A
-
Ds Darling - hills parallel to West Coast (Atlantic Ocean)
- Sea breezes, SB, fresh versions of CS, Mer, Shir
- Granite, Dry Farming
- Groote Post
12
Q
Describe Ds Swartland
A
-
Ds Swartland - warm, dry, 5oomm rainfall irrig essential
- Low fert granite/shale
- 2 sectors
- High volume ~ co-ops e.g. high vol Chinin (Perdeberg Wines)
- Second
- REcently centre of innovation and premium wine prod Started by Mike Back / Eben Sadie/ Chris Mullineux
- dry farming, old vines, low yields, ambient yeast, organic/biodynamic, mature in old oak
- outstanding and premium q
- Big Six: CB, SB; CH; CS; MER; Syr; Pinotage (Single Var or blend)
- Old vine Semillon
- Also Med var e.g. Mourvedre, GrenN; Cinsault; Marsanne; Rousanne; Viognier
- Area of Paardeberg farmed by top producers
- Centre for premium Cape Blends (R / W)
13
Q
The Olifants River Region - Describe
A
- Most north = dry, 200mm rain pa. warm, irrig essential
- Historical high yield –
- Large Winery - Namaqua Wines produces and sells inexpensive wines (irrigated)
- e.g. yields for Chenin 4x what they are in Swartland
- Small sector of prestige, premium farms
- -eg Ben Sadie (Sadie Familiy Wines - Skurfberg)
- Citrusdal Mountain
- Ward Piekenierskloof
- Ward Bamboes Bay
-
These areas have
- old vines, experienced growers; dry farming
- alt – 550m
- Atlantic influence
HIGH QUALITY FRUIT Sadie Family Wines
14
Q
Cape South Coast Region Includes what districts / wards?
A
Stretching north from Hermanus
Ds Walker Bay >>Ward Hemel-en-Aarde (which is a few small areas) >>Ward BOT River
Ds Elgin
15
Q
Describe Walker Bay and Ward H & A (Note that Bot River ignored)
A
Ds Walker Bay
- next to Atlantic – CH and PN 3 wards [H&A / H&A Ridge / H&A Valley]
Ward Hemel en Aarde etc
- Cool winds reduce risk of over ripe, reduce vigour
- Aspect to north to achieve ripeness (cool area)
- Clay soils, cover crops for water evap reduction
- CH, PN, are dominant, also Big 6 (CB; SB; CH; CS; SYR; Pinotage)
- Experiments with Viognier and Albarino
- Hamilton Russel;, Bouchard Finlayson; Creation
H&A Valley - closest to Atlantic Ripe but fresh PN/CH
Upper H&A Valley - higher altitudes
H&A Ridge smallest, coldest, VY at 400m, s-f and e-f also in the shade.
